Beyond statistics: a qualitative look at the employment effects in Chinese trade clusters of Ghana and Senegal

Abstract

Based on qualitative research this paper explores the direct and indirect employment effects of Chinese entrepreneurial activities in the trade sector of Ghana and Senegal. Formal and informal employment impacts are discussed before the background of distinctly different national policies and economic environments. The paper concentrates on evaluating employment effects with regard to the participation of marginalized social groups, inclusion and empowerment, and broader issues of social transformation. It is argued that future research should encompass issues such as the quality of employment relationships or stimuli for informal and self-employment and should also incorporate broader issues of spatial transformation, societal norms and practices.